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Riboflavin, Vitamin B2
Assessment and Plan: Riboflavin
Intake of riboflavin may be enhanced by selecting foods in the diet with higher riboflavin content. The higher doses of riboflavin required for migraine prevention will not be attainable from foods and will need to be taken in an oral supplement form. It is necessary to obtain approval from the pediatric or adult primary care physician prior to taking riboflavin supplements.
According to the University of Maryland Medical Center, riboflavin may be found included in multivitamin, B-complex vitamins and separate supplements, and is best absorbed when taken between meals. The recommended daily allowance of riboflavin also published online by the University of Maryland Medical Center as follows: birth – 6 months: 0.3 mg, 7 – 12 months: 0.4 mg, 1 – 3 years: 0.5 mg, 4 – 8 years: 0.6 mg, 9 – 13 years: 0.9 mg, boys 14 – 18 years: 1.3 mg, girls 14 – 18 years: 1 mg, men 19 years and older: 1.3 mg, women 19 years and older: 1.1 mg, pregnant women: 1.4 mg, breastfeeding women: 1.6 mg. (8)
Studies on effectiveness of Riboflavin for migraines are mixed. A study by Condò M, et al found that 200 or 400 mg per day of riboflavin orally for 3, 4, or 6 months noted that the number and severity of migraine attacks significantly decreased (1). C. Boehnke, et al did an open label study using 400 mg per day of riboflavin in outpatients and found that frequency of migraines was not only reduced in half at 3 month and 6 month reassessments, but also reduced the amount of abortive medications used (7). However a randomized, double-blind study of 48 children by MacLennan SC, et al found that riboflavin was less effective than placebo (2). Nonetheless, riboflavin in supplement form appears to be safe, well tolerated and may be a worthwhile trial for those attempting to reduce the frequency of migraines.
Women suffering from migraine headaches during pregnancy may benefit from riboflavin since it one of the few agents considered safe during pregnancy (3).
Riboflavin improves the body’s response to iron and lack of this nutrient may be responsible for iron deficiency anemia in some populations (5).
